COLD FEET!

I have been so excited about surgery and the changes I am going to be making.  I have about two more weeks before surgery.  Everything is starting to become so real and now I am scared to death.  Someone please tell me Im not  alone in this.  I know this is what I need to do but I think of the long run and where will I be 20 years down the road.  Will there be any issues with having this done?  There are no answers to that question. 
I guess the realization ha**** that this is going to happen and Im freaking a little.  I have been waiting for this for so long and now Im flipping out.  I just need to calm down and think about the good things that are going to come out of this.  I just wish I could get rid of all the doubt.

Unfortunately, I had to delete this post due to privacy concerns.

I think we all go through this phase...  It may help you to look at a bunch of the profiles and see what they all say before their WLS and what their journey has been like (a lot of people put updates in)...  I think we'll all tell you how much better life is now and how much healthier we are.  I'm almost 6 years post op and I have had a very easy time, no complications due to my WLS.  But it has saved my life. 

Let me know if I can help you in any way,

OK - take a deep breath - count to ten and let's talk about this. First of all if you weren't somewhat scared then we'd have a big problem. I'm scheduled for the day after you. I'm more excited than scared but this is still surgery and there is always a fear that accompanies that. Long run - 20 years from now - if you don't have surgery will you still be here? There's no guarantee on that. If you are still here and struggling with weight issues  -what will your quality of life be? I realize that there aren't any long long term studies on this but guess what - I want quality of life. Hiding within my morbidly obese body is hardly quality. Facing  the long term effects of diabetes is certainly not worth giving into the doubt and not moving forward with this.

You've done your homework on this and in the course of chosing WLS you've read the good, the bad and the ugly - your doubts are normal. For me, it's a case of getting my head and my heart to work together. Deep down in my heart I feel like this is what I've waited my whole life for - this is where I'm waiting in the wings about to take center stage. My head is a little more apprehensive - it's going along with it BUT - what if I fail once again, this time everyone is watching, this might be my last hope. yada yada yada.

I've said all this to make one single point - you're not alone. I'm right there with youu as well as a whole board full of folks here. Focus on your healthy future.

- Iris

This is sooooo normal and very common. If you look at my profile, you'll find my own musings about this. Not only are you looking at undergoing a major surgical procedure with all of the risks and discomfort that such a thing entails, but you are also getting ready to make some irrevocable changes that will change your life forever. That's really huge. Even though it will change your life forever in very positive ways, it's still pretty scary when you realize that once you take this step you can't change your mind or decide never mind it's too hard. You have to keep going, but isn't that the reason that we're doing this. We've all tried to lose the weight before. Many of us have lost at least some of it ... over, and over, and over ... only to have it return ... over, and over, and over. We are doing this so that we have the best chance of losing not just some, but hopefully all of it, once and for all. But that entails huge changes; physical and psychological and that can be pretty heady, scary stuff.

All of that said, you'll be able to look at yourself and know if you really are ready to make the commitment to yourself to change your life for the better.

Wishing you a safe and peaceful journey.

Barb

I understand how you are feeling as well! I, just like Iris is having surgery the day after you, and I too have those same feelings but it's like Iris and the others have said, it's normal for us to feel this way  but we do have to look at the long term pros.  We are going to be so much healthier and happier.  That makes me excited and outweighs (pardon the pun) the short term anxiety.

My fear has nothing to do with the difficulties I may face after the surgery but rather the surgery itself.  I am always afraid of not waking up after the surgery.  I have that fear now and other surgeries that I have had in the past.  But guess what,  I have always woken up.  So I keep reminding myself that I have had those same fears before and everything is okay.  I just kid my co-workers at work and tell them that if something does happen to me; to please come in to work and make sure my office is organized and squared away, because I d*** sure don't won't to hear my boss sucking her teeth saying how unorganized I was. :)  Just a little humor in the a.m.

Seriously, it is going to be okay and I think it's normal to have some fears.  Look at some of our mentors here on the website. I am sure they at one time felt the same way and look how happy they are.  If you didn't read some of their profiles, you'd never know that at one time they too were scared.  Fast forward, you too will be someone's mentor and providing that same support that they are giving us.  Take care and good luck!  Angie

I am having surgery Monday the 28th.....I am freaked too.

I am not scared of the surgery, the waking up, the pain, or the recovery.  I am scared of the new life, the new pouch, will I be able to tolerate this new way of life. I guess it is the fear of the unknown.

Charrece